Seoul subsidizes 700 electric taxis
South Korea’s capital, Seoul, is purchasing 700 electric taxis. This subsidy is worth 18.2 million won (around $15,000) per EV, far more than the 12.7 million ($10,300) subsidy for buying an EV for personal use.
Cities
This archive collects milestone stories where cities are the driving force behind positive change. From urban planning breakthroughs to local policy wins, these stories highlight how municipal governments, city agencies, and urban communities around the world are solving real problems.
L.A. County district attorney wipes 66,000 marijuana convictions
The move, which comes years after California voters legalized weed, reverses decades of drug enforcement that disproportionately targeted people of color — who then faced barriers in finding housing and jobs and enrolling in school.
Santa Cruz decriminalizes psychedelic mushrooms
The City Council of Santa Cruz voted unanimously on Tuesday to approve a measure that will make investigation and arrest for “the adult possession, use or cultivation of psychoactive plants and fungi” a low-priority infraction by law enforcement.
Mexico City bans plastic bags
The new law went into effect January 1. By 2021, the same law will ban handing out plastic straws, spoons, coffee capsules and other single-use items.
Kansas City becomes first major American city with universal fare-free public transit
Free bus service, which is expected to cost about $8 million, has been pitched as a major help to low-income residents who rely on transit to commute to work.
Yokohama recognizes partnerships for LGBT couples
The city of Yokohama near Tokyo began issuing certificates recognizing the partnerships of sexual minority and common-law couples on Monday.
Hong Kong voters deliver landslide victory for pro-democracy campaigners
Hong Kong’s voters have delivered an unprecedented landslide for pro-democracy candidates in local elections, in a powerful show of solidarity with the city’s protest movement and rebuke to the government over its handling of the crisis.
Kansas City bans gay conversion therapy
The city council on Thursday approved an ordinance banning the therapy, which tries to change a gay or transgender person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
Chile’s largest metro network to be powered by solar and wind
Santiago’s metro system – which transports approximately 2.4 million passengers each day – will become one of the first subways in the world to source most of its power needs from renewable energy.
Colombia’s capital city of Bogota elects first female mayor
Claudia López won the race for mayor of Bogota on a platform promising to combat corruption and advance equal rights for minority communities.